12 must-watch shows like The Sandman that explore fantasy, myth, and the supernatural
Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman adapts his celebrated DC comic series into a sweeping fantasy drama that follows Lord Morpheus (Tom Sturridge), the personification of dreams, who is imprisoned in 1918 by a British occultist. After escaping more than a century later, Dream returns to find his kingdom in chaos. The Netflix series blends epic world-building with complex themes, drawing from mythology, literature, and folklore. Those fascinated by The Sandman’s surreal aesthetics and mythic overtones will find resonance in these twelve shows that similarly navigate alternate realities, dark magic, and fantastical lore.
Jenna Coleman as Johanna, Tom Sturridge as Dream in Netflix's 'The Sandman.'
Courtesy of Netflix
12. Dead Boy Detectives (2024)
Steve Yockey’s Dead Boy Detectives, derived from the DC Comics universe, tells the story of Edwin Payne (George Rexstrew) and Charles Rowland (Jayden Revri), two teenage ghosts who opt to remain in the mortal realm. Edwin’s tragic death in 1916 results from a demonic ritual performed as a school prank, while Charles dies in 1989 after standing up to his teammates. United in the afterlife, they resolve to solve paranormal crimes. Their refusal to cross over and their immersion in occult mysteries offer a haunting parallel to the dreamlike, eerie mythology of The Sandman.
11. Carnivàle (2003–2005)
Daniel Knauf’s Carnivàle unfolds during the 1930s Dust Bowl era and centers around two intertwined paths. Ben Hawkins (Nick Stahl), endowed with healing powers, joins a carnival and begins to dream of Henry Scudder, a man with similar abilities. Meanwhile, Brother Justin Crowe (Clancy Brown), a preacher, discovers his own supernatural influence and shares Ben’s visions. Deeply rooted in religious symbolism, gnosticism, and esoteric myth, the show draws on layered theology akin to that found in The Sandman, where spiritual and metaphysical narratives intersect.
10. Penny Dreadful (2014–2016)
Created by John Logan, Penny Dreadful assembles figures from 19th-century gothic fiction—Frankenstein, Dorian Gray, Dracula—into a dark fantasy set in Victorian London. Ethan Chandler (Josh Hartnett), Vanessa Ives (Eva Green), and Malcolm Murray (Timothy Dalton) confront sinister forces while grappling with their own haunted pasts. The show merges literary horror and mythic fantasy in ways reminiscent of The Sandman’s blend of iconic archetypes and original storytelling, where magic and mortality meet.
9. Shadow and Bone (2021–2023)
Adapted from Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse novels, Shadow and Bone is set in a fractured world where gifted individuals, known as Grisha, manipulate matter. Alina Starkov, revealed to be the fabled Sun Summoner, is the only one capable of dispelling a shadowy barrier that divides the land. As political factions clash and secrets unravel, the series offers a world of arcane power and elemental conflict. The sense of destiny, layered world-building, and elemental magic evoke the essence of The Sandman’s metaphysical narrative.
8. The Wheel of Time (2021–2025)
Based on Robert Jordan’s expansive book series, The Wheel of Time follows Moiraine Damodred (Rosamund Pike), a member of the Aes Sedai—women who wield a force called the One Power. As she searches for the reincarnated Dragon, whose power could save or doom the world, she and her companions journey through ancient lands and confront malevolent forces. Like The Sandman, the show anchors its plot in prophecy, primordial evil, and a sprawling, mythical landscape filled with magical beings and timeless lore.
7. The Witcher (2019–)
Created by Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, The Witcher follows Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill), a genetically altered monster hunter, as he becomes entwined with Ciri, a young princess with world-altering powers, and Yennefer, a mage marked by personal sacrifice. Originating from Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels, the narrative jumps across timelines before coalescing into a high-stakes tale of destiny and chaos. Its universe of magical creatures, political intrigue, and mystical transformation mirrors The Sandman’s balance between the mortal and the metaphysical.
6. Supernatural (2005–2020)
Eric Kripke’s Supernatural chronicles the lives of brothers Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles), who hunt demons, spirits, and monsters. Raised in the family business following their mother’s supernatural death, the brothers confront increasingly apocalyptic threats. With its long-form storytelling and cosmic stakes, the show features characters and entities familiar to The Sandman audience, reflecting a shared mythological ecosystem where heaven, hell, and everything in between collide.
5. His Dark Materials (2019–2022)
His Dark Materials, adapted from Philip Pullman’s novels, introduces a universe where souls take the form of animal companions known as daemons. Lyra Belacqua (Dafne Keen), a young girl raised at Oxford, uncovers dark conspiracies involving kidnapped children, parallel worlds, and a mystical element called Dust. Her journey, deeply philosophical and fantastical, echoes the themes in The Sandman, especially through her connection to Dust—much like Dream’s affinity for magical sand that binds realities.
4. Good Omens (2019–)
Based on the novel co-authored by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, Good Omens follows the unlikely alliance of the angel Aziraphale (Michael Sheen) and the demon Crowley (David Tennant) as they attempt to prevent the apocalypse. Their long-standing friendship and their resistance to divine plans inject humor and heart into an otherwise celestial narrative. As with The Sandman, ancient forces are humanized, and millennia-old conflicts are explored with wit and existential insight.
3. American Gods (2017–2021)
Created by Bryan Fuller and Michael Green, American Gods adapts another of Gaiman’s works. After meeting the enigmatic Mr. Wednesday (Ian McShane), ex-convict Shadow Moon (Ricky Whittle) is drawn into a looming battle between Old Gods and new deities of technology and media. As the gods personify cultural shifts and spiritual belief systems, the show tackles abstract ideas through grounded storytelling. The epic, surreal tone and divine confrontations draw a direct parallel to The Sandman’s metaphysical drama.
2. Constantine (2014–2015)
Developed by Daniel Cerone and David S. Goyer, Constantine centers on the infamous occultist John Constantine (Matt Ryan), who wanders the world exorcising demons and wrestling with his inner guilt. His battles against dark magic and rising supernatural forces echo themes of spiritual warfare found in The Sandman. Johanna Constantine (Jenna Coleman), a gender-swapped variant of the comic’s character, also appears in the Netflix series, offering a direct crossover point for viewers familiar with both narratives.
1. Lucifer (2016–2021)
Created by Tom Kapinos, Lucifer reimagines the Devil (Tom Ellis) as a charming nightclub owner who becomes a civilian consultant for the LAPD. Leaving Hell out of boredom, Lucifer explores morality, identity, and free will alongside detective Chloe Decker (Lauren German). Though Gaiman's Sandman version of Lucifer is portrayed by Gwendoline Christie, the core mythology remains aligned. Characters and mythic themes overlap frequently between both series, reinforcing their roots in the same expansive universe.
